Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Remember that whole thirty seconds I wasn't consumed with projects, essays, and other assorted crap?

Good times.

I'm uber busy once again, so here's my next episode of the ongoing drama that is my life...

1) I am DONE with Physical Therapy! Can I get a 'whoot-whoot'?

2) Per the request of my Literature Teacher, I have constructed my very own Inferno. This is, of course, based off the first book of Dante Allegheri's famous Divine Comedy. Despite the fact that the project is about Hell, it was actually pretty interesting. And my project...

...is HOT. (pun intended)

3) Only 213 days stand between me and Walt Disney World. (this is another appropriate place for a 'whoot-whoot')

4) It's FREEZING. Just in case you didn't notice.

5) I've been introduced to the terror known only as "the Heck". The economy teacher named Heck, loud as Heck, and from Heck...

...mortals beware.

*Heck is, in fact, a real person. Read about him in my best friend's blog here.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

If I've learned anything throughout these past four years, it's been to count my blessings. In my life, they're truly inumerable. I absolutely do NOT deserve what I have. I don't deserve the smallest fraction of what I have.

God is truly good to me. His love is the most awe-inspiring thing I've ever experienced.

He didn't have to bless me with an unbelievably amazing best friend who accepts me for who I am and knows me all too well (sometimes better than I know myself).

He didn't have to let us have an unbelievable day watching Disney movies, laughing non-stop, and singing at the top of our lungs in my car.

He didn't have to introduce us in fifth grade and allow this great relationship between us to ever come to be. He didn't have to do any of these things at all.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Through the ages, man has attempted to shape his society based on what is considered “right” or “good.”

Selecting what is right has always been done through the invisible forces within man known only as emotion and ethics. This way of life has led to systems of law based on what feels right or wrong, and these laws have become an essential part of today’s society.

However, what if the rectitude society is striving for is removed and emotion no longer dictated man? This question may seem, for lack of better wording, out of the ordinary, but if you honestly take a long, analytic look at our society, you'll understand where I'm coming from.

I feel, if these circumstances continue to worsen, that mankind as a whole would rapidly decay into a truly primal, unsophisticated race. (To clarify, by no means do I find the human race "sophisticated." In all actuality, there's maybe 10% that can actually distinguish right from wrong.)

But for the sake of my point, just assume for a moment that emotion was no longer a factor affecting man. The essence of man is naturally the well-known trinity of Pathos (Emotion), Ethos (Ethic), and Logos (Logic). Three God-given entities that define who we are and firmly establish our lives.

Tampering with any of these can cause an unfortunate outcome. Let me explain...

Following our current path, emotion will ultimately dissipate into indifference. With the removal of emotion, ethics are also sacrificed as there is no inner feeling to draw the lines between good and evil. Therefore, Logos is left to stand unaccompanied. Obviously, mere logic alone cannot effeciently drive a life because without the other two forces, logic is not logical. It's one big chain reaction.

(I know, I know. I'm verging on the mindset of a radical existentialist, but trust me, I'm the farthest thing from it. Stay with me, there's a point.)

Pathos, Ethos, and Logos must all work in conjunction of one another for a life to properly operate. Only then will the hierarchy of mankind be able to stand stable.

I believe God put these three innate forces within us for a reason. A purpose.

That's why I become so easily frustrated with those who misuse or completely dispose of them. We may not understand the reasoning behind our emotions, why we feel the way we do, but that lack of comprehension is essential...

Description: People who have to go to bed early because they have "school in the morning" or some crap.

In this class: small children, old men, and cats.

11 P.M. :Party Animal.

Description: That cliche status to which represents a mild, controlled stage of partying.

In this class: unimportant teenagers and rebellious pre-teens.

12 A.M. : Party Monster.

Description: People who party so hard...they can't quit until the next day.

In this class: Xbox Live addicts and the kid who has to post a Facebook status EXACTLY at midnight.

1 A.M. : Party Addict.

Description: Those party goers who, in honor of MJ, "don't stop til they get enough" or in some cases, get too much...

In this class: barhops, drifters, and Billy Mays.

2 A.M. : Party Psycho.

Description: Those who's excessive partying has begun to affect their mental stability. Be forewarned...MADD knows who you are.

In this class: All 32 beautiful ladies and the ugly one at the Mouse's Ear (and their dates).

3 A.M. : Party Legend.

Description: Originally thought to be a myth, these party goers have recently been confirmed through a series of video footage and eye-witness sightings.

In this class: No names have been confirmed at this time.

4 A.M. or later: Stupid.

Description: If the name didn't give it away, you're probably in this class. Seriously guys, your enthusiasm is great and all, but we responsible people are waking up in two hours or quite possibly less than that. Put the drink down, and go home.

In this class: 12 year-olds at church camps who are away from their parents for the first time in their lives, frat boys, and insomniacs.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

I have been unbelievably busy these past few days. So much so, in fact, that I'm fairly certain the concept of me having a blog was completely lost on me.

However, I have endeavored to squeeze out a post to...well...keep everyone posted.

No pun intended...

...okay maybe it was slightly intentional, but gimme a break. Lord knows I need one.

Not many things have been going on with me outside of school. All of the recent events confining me to this desk chair have been the deeds of my merciless educators who refuse to acknowledge the fact that I, indeed, have a life outside of their classrooms. Incessant compositions, projects, and problems have flooded this desk on a nightly basis for quite some time now, and I don't forsee this situation changing anytime soon.

The chaos which has ensued for the past several weeks was dramatically increased with the addition of Homecoming and Spirit Week. Typically, these days would be used to represent our school in a prideful manner...

...but things are different within the redneck/ghetto melting pot I call "school".

Here, we make the most of the week by parading up and down the streets in our vehicles bearing rebel flags, silly string, water balloons, and other assorted crap that mature, high-school students should not possess but unfortunately have an abundant supply of.

But Heaven knows, we simply CAN'T stop there. The vast majority of our senior class (myself excluded), those shining examples of brilliance, choose to indulge in alcoholic beverages until thoroughly drunk. Watching them vomit and yell phrases like "easy-access shorts" (while admittedly...is vaguely comical) is disgusting and a disgrace to our school. It's no surprise we're on the NCLB's shortlist. Title One is undoubtedly having a field day with our student body.

During school hours, the "fun" (stress on the quotations) continues as each day of the week holds a theme to which all of the students dress to fit...

I try, honestly, I do. I dress up and make futile attempts at running around like a freak in my "spiritful" clothing, but I just can't bring myself to that mental state. Merely being around these psychos begins to degrade my inner psyche. Granted, some of them both participate in moderation and are completely genuine in their effort. However, it's simply not in my nature.

Anyway, students dress-up, check their brains at the door, and run wild. 'Nuff said.

Despite everything else, the highlight of my Homecoming Week, while it did cause me sufficient stress, was participating in the 2009 Homecoming Court. It wasn't neccessarily the event, but I got to escort one of my best friends in the entire world, and although she didn't win, we had an awesome time.

Honestly, this girl is one of the only glimmers of hope I see in that school. I thank God for her, and a few others like her, that assure me our future generation doesn't only consist of fast-food workers, train car hoboes, and drug-dealers.

Regardless of what this life throws at me, whether it be intoxicated classmates or brutally lengthy literature compositions, I'm determined, very determined, to see the light at the end of the tunnel...